The Millville High School football team has enjoyed a renaissance since 2010, a season that culminated in the first of what would become three straight playoff berths entering this year.

The unit, which improved to 4-2 following Friday’s win over Egg Harbor Township, is well on its way to a fourth consecutive postseason appearance in 2013.

Through that success, the Thunderbolts have become a group that has matured to the point where it is capable of navigating the highs and lows of a given campaign, all the while staying consistent. The biggest sign of that progression can be seen in how Millville responds after a loss.

The Bolts boast a 27-11 record dating back to 2010 and are 7-2 when rebounding from a defeat.

That impressive mark can be linked to Millville’s steady flow of veteran leadership. The team’s recent winning ways under sixth-year coach Jason Durham have spawned a crop of captains who are passing the torch of success down the line.

“The biggest thing for us is just making sure we keep a level head and trust our abilities,” Bolts senior middle linebacker and captain Ed Shockley said following his team’s 17-6 loss to Holy Spirit on Oct. 18. “As a team, we know what we’re capable of so, it’s important to just stick with what we’re doing.”

Millville’s leadership group has shined in the face of any adversity that has come its way.

Durham often preaches about “sticking together” after a setback, and that tight-knit mentality has worked wonders on and off the field for the Bolts.

“I think a lot of it is trying to keep the hope alive for these guys,” said Antoine White, Millville’s Penn State-bound lineman and team captain. “I really want them to keep their heads up and keep the momentum moving in the right direction (after a loss). When you take a tough loss, you have to be able to respond from it.

“They’re going to have to hit the weight room, they’re going to have to hit the chalkboard, take care of business, guys can’t get in trouble. It’s little things like that and you can’t afford mistakes. You have to be able to move on as a team.”

“Team” is a word Millville tosses around like a football — win or lose.

The Bolts don’t play the finger-pointing game, and that mindset is what took them to the Group IV South title game in 2011 and the same thing that helped them bounce back from last week’s loss to the Spartans.

“You just have to keep working hard, stay focused going into each week and take it one step at a time,” Millville senior quarterback RobertoRivera said. “You just have to keep believing in each other. I know what this team can do.”

What the Bolts have done is prove one little bump in the road won’t derail their season.

The program has developed a culture where a loss simply will not be left to linger.

“I’m pretty confident that they’ll come back to work each week and give us a great effort,” Durham said.

Anthony Coppola covers Millville High School football for The Daily Journal. He can be reached at (856) 563-5258 or acoppola@thedailyjournal.com.

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